2013 NFC CONTENDERS' CORNER (Playoff Contenders' Info) Week 8

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; Week 8 Bye teams (5 AFC; 1 NFC): Ravens, Bears, Texans, Colts, Chargers, Titans.
The Saints’ bye week is over. Anyone else chomping at the bit for them to get back into action? We are now entering the final ten ...

The Saints’ bye week is over. Anyone else chomping at the bit for them to get back into action? We are now entering the final ten games of the regular season, and there are no easy pickin’ games on the schedule. If a team has a losing record, look for them to play spoiler. If they have a winning record, you know that they will pull all the stops to get ANOTHER win.

If that isn’t enough, the Panthers can keep the pressure on the Saints and move to a 4-3 record with a win this weekend vs. the Bucs. Do the math: The Saints are 5-1 right now, and cannot afford to take a week off. But no matter what’s going on elsewhere, let’s hope that the Saints take care of their own business. There’s nothing like taking action to control your OWN destiny.

With that, let’s consider the games that have an impact on the 2013 NFC standings:

Thursday October 24th

Week 8, Game 1: Panthers (3-3) @ Buccaneers (0-6)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC South rivals. As mentioned in the above intro, the Panthers are among the hottest teams in the past month. Their defense has also allowed a stingy NFC-best 83 points. The Buccaneers are reeling, and their head coach isn’t helping matters with the way he is managing the team. If the Bucs get off to a good start, they may be able to make this a competitive game (…let’s hope so). But odds are that they will allow the Panthers to get an early lead, then Carolina will pin their ears back and run away with the game. We’ll see.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Bucs; break out your Pewter and Maroon pom poms. OK… so I got carried away. Let’s hope for the Bucs to be uncharacteristically good in this game and pull off one of the biggest upsets this season.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 1.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Panthers by 6- ½.

Sunday October 27th

Week 8, Game 2: 49ers (5-2)@ Jaguars (0-7)

a. Why it is important: 49’ers are an NFC rival. San Francisco is still in the hunt for a top slot in the postseason. They are not likely to have a letdown for this one.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the lowly Jaguars. Despite the odds, an unlikely upset by Jacksonville would be sweet.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 0.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: 49’ers by 17 (…Buddy D. would have said: ‘Take the ‘Niners, and lay the points’).

Week 8, Game 3: Cowboys (4-3) @ Lions (4-3)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals, and in the hunt for at least a Wildcard spot.

b. Desired outcome: You can make a valid argument for pulling for one or the other. As much as I hate to say it, pull for the Lions to LOSE because we play the Cowboys head-to-head later this season. Even so, I now feel like I have to wash my mouth out with soap after saying that! Cowboys have been improving over the last few weeks, but the Lions are a tough team at home. The Lions’ front four should create problems for the Cowboys’ O-line.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: Even.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Lions by 3.

Week 8, Game 4: Browns (3-4) @ Chiefs (7-0)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Chiefs by 7- ½.

Week 8, Game 5: Bills (3-4) @ Saints (5-1)

a. Why it is important: WhoDat!

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Saints. There will be at least three subplots in this game: 1) How will Charles Brown match up with Mario Williams, and 2) What kind of game will Jabari Greer have vs. his former teammates, especially after the game-winning TD he allowed vs. the Patriots? I believe Jabari gets a pick! 3) Will the Saints’ running game get going vs. the Bills? Saints should have their mojo going, and the team needs to look sharp as we move into the final 10 games of the season.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 8.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Saints by 13.

Week 8, Game 6: Dolphins (3-3) @ Patriots (5-2)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Patriots by 6- ½ .

Week 8, Game 7: Giants (1-6) @ Eagles (3-4)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Giants just got their first win of the season, and did it in convincing fashion. The Eagles looked lethargic in their loss vs. the Cowboys.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Giants, just by virtue of their W-L record. However, we should remember that the Giants are notoriously SLOW starters, and almost always finish the season strong.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Line not available.

Week 8: Game 8: Steelers (2-4) @ Raiders (2-4)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Steelers by 3.

Week 8, Game 9: Jets (4-3) @ Bengals (5-2)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Bengals by 6- ½.

Week 8, Game 10: Falcons (2-4) @ Cardinals (3-4)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals; Falcons are an NFC South rival.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Cardinals. Saints already have the tiebreaker by having beaten the Cards earlier this season. Falcons are banged up, but Jacquiz Rogers has been coming on lately as a double threat out of the backfield. Even so, let’s hope the Red Birds push the Dirty Birds further into oblivion!

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Cardinals by 2- ½.

Week 8, Game 11: Redskins (2-4) @ Broncos (6-1)

a. Why it is important: Redskins are an NFC rival. Broncos are ticked-off for having lost their first game of the season at Indianapolis. They will likely take it out on the ‘Skins.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Broncos.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 8 out 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Line not available.

b](SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL)[/b]

Week 8, Game 12: Packers (4-2) @ Vikings (1-5)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Packers are in the thick of it for a postseason appearance.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Vikings, who always play the Packers tough at in their dome.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 3 out 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Packers by 6- ½.

Monday October 28th

Week 8, Game 13: Seahawks (6-1) @ Rams (3-4)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Seahawks currently have the best record in the NFC, although the Saints still have more victories in the NFC with 4. Rams are without their starter, Sam Bradford. That does not bode well for them because of the Seahawks’ tenacious and stifling defense.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Rams. Destiny seems to be setting up a showdown at the OK Corral when the Saints meet the Seahawks in November. A win by the Rams in this contest would definitely be a big plus for the Black and Gold.

I agree with you about the Bucs. I think the Panthers are better then people are giving them credit for and they should kill the Bucs this weekend.

The Bucs are an organization in disarray. Their QB Freeman was a cancer in the locker room, but that was just part of it. Now they have an idiot, a-hole coach. May see years of that team bottom dwelling in the NFC south.